Franklin Electric announces recipients for outstanding achievements
At its annual Commercial Summit, Franklin Electric announced winners of this year’s awards for outstanding performance, sales and customer support. They were Field Salesperson of the Year, Jimmy Vela; Field Service Engineer of the Year, Ryan Horner; and Team of the Year, U.S. South Central Region. The team members, led by Darol Hayes, included Chase Ellsworth, Dave Batdorff, Erasmo Barron, Ilse Gallegos, Jennifer Ford, Jesse Zwiebel, Jimmy Vela, Hannah Kiningham and Woody Kunkel.

Jim Felker
Jim Felker joins SJE as regional sales manager
Jim Felker is the newest regional sales manager for SJE. He will be working out of Oxford, Michigan, covering the northeast territory for SJE Rhombus and CSI Controls. Most recently, he worked in outside sales at Sales Service Plus, a manufacturer’s rep that represents SJE Rhombus.
CAST Environmental acquires Geoflow
CAST Environmental Holdings acquired all assets of Geoflow. Geoflow will continue to operate as usual. Key staff is being retained, including former Geoflow partner Karen Ruskin Ferguson in a new long-term consultant role. David Morgan will remain as business development and engineering manager, and Jarek Tatarek will continue as warehouse manager.
NOWRA board of directors updates
The NOWRA board of directors thanked outgoing secretary/treasurer Curtis Moore of M&M Soil Consultants, Fredericksburg, Virginia, for his service to the executive committee and the board of directors, a role he has held since 2016. Jim King of Eljen transitioned into the role of secretary/treasurer on April 1. Ed Schloss of Jet Inc. has been appointed to complete King’s term on the board as a supplier/manufacturer representative.
Kenworth opens new dealership in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Kenworth opened a new 24,000-square-foot truck dealership in North Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The company, a subsidiary of CSM Companies, also has Wisconsin locations in Madison, Green Bay, Menomonie, Milwaukee, Wausau and La Crosse. The new facility brings the CSM Companies’ Kenworth dealerships to 22 total nationwide.
Felling Trailers names 2022 Trailer for a Cause beneficiary
Felling Trailers’ announced its tenth annual Trailer for a Cause online auction will benefit Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Eagle's Healing Nest provides a place of peace and healing for veterans struggling with issues ranging from PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, anxiety, depression, homelessness and addiction. Felling’s Trailer for a Cause auction raises funds and brings awareness to a different nonprofit each year and donates 100% of the winning bid. Previous auctions have raised over $30,000 for nonprofit organizations including Special Olympics Minnesota, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Lymphoma Research Foundation and Minnesota Fire Fighters Foundation. This year’s auction is planned for late summer and will take bids for a new FT-3 utility trailer.